Our Next Trip.. AMERICA, NYC

We're well and truly on our way to planning our next adventure. We're heading to the U.S.A. for the first time over Christmas this year.

http://wnpr.org/post/rockefeller-center-christmas-tree-connecticut-born-and-raised

Our main reason for wanting to travel to the U.S. is because we want to experience a white Christmas. Growing up in Australia means our only Christmas experience has been over-eating prawns and ham,  drinking in the sweltering heat, droughts, tacky Aussie Santa anthems about 'riding in a rusted ute' (instead of a sleigh).

http://christmas.lovetoknow.com/Christmas_Traditions_in_Australia

We do love the summer Christmas, but we'd love to experience that picturesque white Christmas and all the things a typical American Christmas entails.

We have already booked a 9-day stint in New York City from Christmas Eve to the day after New Years Day so we get to experience the iconic festive atmosphere of NYC and we fully intend to take advantage of all the touristy goodness NYC has to offer in winter- ice skating in Rockafeller centre, seeing the big tree, an icy-cold carriage ride through central park (please let it snow!), and of course seeing the ball drop in Times Square.

Although I'm not totally driven by all the touristy things, I've already decided to try and find a spot that I can see the ball drop without actually packing into Times Square will the millions of other people that flock from around the globe to experience the same thing, I'm thinking maybe a nearby roof top party or something- it'll be worth the exorbitant cost to have that once-in-a-lifetime experience.

http://www.nyctrip.com/Pages/index.aspx?PageID=1444

I've compiled a list of must-see attractions, obviously the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island (that's if the weather permits), the amazing museums that NYC have to offer like MoMa, and possibly a Broadway play, but more importantly I have compiled an even bigger list of foods I want to eat!

We have booked an apartment using airbnb in Chelsea, which is a district on the Western side of Manhattan known for its trendy cafes, shops and hipsters. As the saying goes- 'you know a place is up-and-coming in NYC when the gays move in, followed by the hipsters and eventually you can expect housing prices to boom and urban-grunge cafes to pop up on every corner'. Chelsea is one of those places.

Chelsea's amazing street art and Highline http://streetartnyc.org/blog/2012/05/22/award-winning-photographerartist-jr-in-manhattans-chelsea/

It's filled with culture, art, great food and nightlife, and that suits me just fine. I was sold on the idea when I discovered Chelsea Market, I can see this place being my home away from home (call me the market queen- I look for them everywhere I go!). It is also only about a 10-15 minute subway trip to all the big attractions like the Empire State Building.

I've also mapped out how I can get from our Chelsea apartment to places like 'The Bacon Triangle', Katz's Delicatessen and I have already decided our one fine dining experience will be at Eleven Maddison Park... I just will need to win big when we head to Vegas so I can bank roll our extravagant meal there.

http://katzsdelicatessen.com/

I'm super excited about this trip, we have plans to visit other parts of America and I will be posting about those places too! I'm also keen to hear any recommendations of things to do and see so feel free to comment or send an email with some words of wisdom!

My email:
elise.colella@gmail.com

Hangry x